Confessions of an Environmental Enforcer

May 1996
Citation:
26
ELR 10252
Issue
5
Author
Bruce M. Diamond

It has become manifest that the manner in which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposes, implements, and enforces environmental requirements is in serious need of reform. This was recently and eloquently expressed by former EPA Administrator William Ruckelshaus in his speech at the Environmental Law Institute's 1995 Annual Dinner. Expressions of the need for change have come from many points on the political spectrum, including the White House and the Congress. Unfortunately, practical measures to accomplish reform must overcome formidable obstacles. The purpose of this Dialogue is to explore the possibilities for a comprehensive approach to reforming the federal civil environmental enforcement program.

Bruce Diamond recently joined Swidler & Berlin after serving at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 1974 to 1995. When he left the Agency, he was the Director of the Office of Site Remediation Enforcement in EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, in charge of the enforcement of Superfund and other hazardous waste cleanup laws. Mr. Diamond was previously the Director of the Office of Waste Programs Enforcement, Regional Counsel for EPA Region III, Acting Associate General Counsel for Water in the Office of General Counsel, Deputy Associate General Counsel for the Stationary Source and Air Deterioration Branch, and Deputy Associate General Counsel for the Toxic Substances Division.

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